Note: Sadly, Willowbrook Village closed in fall 2016 after 46 years of operation. See this Portland Press Heraldfeature for more.

With Maine Maple Sunday landing on Easter this year, we knew we wouldn’t have time to visit one of our favorite farms. So, we decided to switch things up a little and make the trip to 19th Century Willowbrook Village in Newfield for Maple Syrup Saturday. The historic, country village has long been on our wish list of places to visit and this special event, which featured carriage rides, maple syrup making, a bean supper-style lunch, and a letterpress demonstration, gave us good reason to go.

On a bright, January Sunday, we visited Ten Apple Farm in Gray for an hour-long goat hike in the woods. Owners Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz and their young daughters—Charlotte, Bea and Sadie—care for a herd of Alpine dairy goats that live in a big red barn attached to the family’s 1901 clapboard farmhouse.

It’s May! Finally. Our lawn is becoming greener, flowering trees are in bloom, and there are daffodils sprouting up everywhere. Last year, to celebrate this greening of our landscape, we traveled to Broadturn Farm in Scarborough for a May Day celebration. MP has long admired the farm for its beautiful flowers and farm-based educational programs. She couldn’t wait to visit with the kids and Grandma Cookie.

The leaves, the color, that crisp feeling in the air — it’s fall in Maine and it seems like the whole state is celebrating. We kicked off the season with an after school visit to the Cumberland Fair. Yes, there are crowds of people, expensive rides, and for better or worse, fair food, but the experience is something every family should share at least once a year. And no matter how old you are, visiting the farm animals is always a treat.

Our dear friends were in town for a few days last week. We celebrated their final evening in Maine at the Wolfe’s Neck Farm Family Farm Feast. The Freeport-based, farm-to-table dinner featured local fare from two of our favorite restaurants, Gather and Frontier, plus music from North of Nashville. We loved the idea of a farm dinner devoted to families, and couldn’t wait to see what was in store.

One of the things we love best about our new home is its close proximity to some incredible farms and orchards. The team recently stopped by Sunflower Farm & Creamery in Cumberland to visit with their newest baby goats. Owners Hope and Chris Hall regularly open the farm to visitors, so children and adults can enjoy spending time with the babies. And boy, did we ever.

Clearly, the Cute Potato kids were smitten. They asked MP and DP multiple times if we could bring one home. MP suggested we visit the farm more often!

MP first read about Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk on Katy Elliot’s popular home restoration blog. Since then, she’s visited on her own—and with the kids—any chance she gets. Snug Harbor is best known for its line of unique plants and gift shop filled with lovely things for gardeners. But what MP enjoys most? The farm’s inspired, family-friendly events.